It is finally time to fetch the amazing artis Celine! This is going to be so amazing. She’s been a wonderful friend for years now, and it’s an honor to be part of her next phase in life. That… and I really, really love creative people. *eyes entire bridal party* Yeah, I pretty much only hang with folks who have imagination.
Baby bird update: the wee ones have grown!
Three days ago: |
Today: |
In writing news, I’m just about to hit chapter 23. Pleased, I am. Also, I’ve pegged a couple of different agents to whom I need to submit. YA all the way, baby.
That’s all! I hope everyone is doing well. :D
Originally published at Door to River. You can comment here or there.
Happy Birthday, America. I know you aren’t perfect. You’ve had growing pains, and you still have a long way to go – but I’m grateful. I’m grateful that you can and do change for the better. I’m grateful that you are a place where I can live in relative freedom, and where I can believe that someday the people I love will all have the same freedoms I do.
I am going to keep working toward that goal with everything I have.
For better or for worse, happy Independence Day. America: I do love you.
Originally published at Door to River. You can comment here or there.
YAY anniversary YAY anniversary YAY three years of marriage!
I am so absurdly happy.
Wedding Day – 06/29/06
Life is good.
Originally published at Door to River. You can comment here or there.
Celine’s post today. I know it’s locked, so for anyone who can’t view it, I’m going to sum up the important part: she’s taking the first step to having her own life.
Can I really afford to wait until later? “Later,” as it turns out, can be a heavy price to pay. Later is okay when you’re eighteen, perhaps. Later might mean waking up someday when you’re forty and realizing you didn’t do all that you should have done. Later is not a luxury I have, because I’ve already been given second and even third chances.
She isn’t forty today, she’s thirty; but she’s realizing the hard and painful truth that her 20’s are gone, and because of fear, guilt, and love of fragile family, she let them go. The facts of her life haven’t changed; she has. She’s going to step out and do it, launching a truly amazing artist career in the process.
The amount of money she’s making at cons definitely shows she can do this. All she really needed to do was believe… and try.
The power we all have is incredible, sometimes. All it takes is the decision to open that book, the decision to start creating, the decision to walk out that door. I’m incredibly proud of her. Someday, I hope to inspire others as much as she inspires me.
Originally published at Door to River. You can comment here or there.
I really need to start coming up with better titles for my posts. :)
Okay, here’s what’s up: going for a Super Sekrit Visit to a friend soon, which will result in additions to our household. ^___^ And no, I don’t mean kittens. Though there will be kittening in our future. This, I guarantee.
Book news: I’ve passed the 45,000 word mark in this rewrite, which means I’m-really-officially-and-truly beyond the halfway point. I cannot stress enough how fun it is now that I better understand what I’m doing.
For my aspiring writer friends, here is the thought-provoking question of the day.
If you removed that scene (or even that chapter) from the book, would anything change?
If not, then that scene/chapter needs to go. Yes, it may have things in there you love; jokes or pretty descriptions or what feels like character development. The fact is, however, that all of those things can be put in somethign that affects the plot. Don’t be afraid to cut it and redo. Don’t be afraid to rewrite from scratch.
Speaking of which, my husband gave me the most incredible encouragement today. We were talking about the state of the world, about how rough things are for people. I said how I felt even more driven to write than usual, sort of wondering – though unspoken – whether this was the right urge. He said this:
I don’t know how else to say it, but historically, in bad times people look for a way to escape. That is why MMO’s have been so popular for so many years -people are looking for a way to escape their crummy lives. Your story is a way for people to escape into an amazing world and truly lose themselves in it, even if only for a while.
Right, I’m gonna go cry now. While I do that, have some interesting links.
The Ark of the Covenant? Really? I can’t help imagining Indiana-Jones style melting.
A literary map of Manhattan – that is to say, the literary folks who live there. This is quite nifty.
Have some Renfaire-communication advice.
Rottweiler Loves Wolf Cub – oh, the cuteness abounds.
Creepy but fascinating – the first human voice recording ever made. I thought it was a trumpet at first. *shame*
And lastly, for any of you who enjoyed Sarah Rees Brennan’s The Demon’s Lexicon (and if you haven’t read it yet, YOU MUST), here is a delicious extra: she’s doing short stories on her blog. Oooh, this is fulfilling.
Originally published at Door to River. You can comment here or there.
Quick one, because my back hurts. :D
1. Writing is coming along splendidly. So far:
2. Lungs are aaaaalmost clear. They’re not completely well yet, though; tugging garbage to the curb brought on an asthma attack yesterday, so I doubt I’m ready for the tread mill.
3. Check this out!
Alex discovers magic the hard way: six months after his twelfth birthday, he grows wings. Terrified of what his slave masters might do if they find out, he flees his island home.
Alex is looking for freedom and answers. Instead, he finds a war – one which the sentient magical beings of the mythos are desperate to hide from humanity. Obeying protective instinct, Alex throws himself into that war headlong, and unintentionally becomes the last thing standing between the Unseelie kingdom and certain destruction.
I think that’s shaping up. :D
4. So our last major visitor has left us with… presents. Unintentional presents. Long-lasting ones. Specifically speaking, he spread bacon grease all over our kitchen.
No, I really don’t know how or why. I’m not entirely sure I want to. Regardless, because of this…
5. ANTS. *shudder* That war will continue for a while.
6. Niftiness: Seven Civil War stories you haven’t heard. Includes things like real-life Mulans, dressing as men and heading to battle. Coooool.
7. An excellent anti-scam article. No – you should NOT be paying for your own publication. Ever.
And I like the number seven, so I’m stopping now. :D
Originally published at Door to River. You can comment here or there.
Do you know what’s happening in Iran?
Here is a very quick sum-up regarding the election fraud. http://fdreview.blogspot.com/2009/06/ira
Here are some photos from the horrors taking place. Warning: they’re graphic. http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/06/i
And here is a way you – yes, YOU – can help. Because the protestors are being so horribly silenced, the very least we can do is help to crash the Iranian State Media websites. This page works to keep the sites refreshing every second. Click on it; leave it open. It really is the least you can do. http://www.nyrpowered.net/iranelectiondd
Originally published at Door to River. You can comment here or there.
I’d really appreciate your vote. :D
Originally published at Door to River. You can comment here or there.
http://jo-scrawls.blogspot.com/2009/06/s
A chance to win The Demon’s Lexicon - autographed! Ooooh, fingers crossed!
Originally published at Door to River. You can comment here or there.
Inspired by the fact that the old design didn’t work in the new versions of Firefox and IE (which pretty much means it haaad tooo gooo.
Door to River: Come and See!
Also redesigned:
Marsh Pants: Sexy Trous for Ball Joint Dolls
We tried for more of an “urban” look - hence, white paint on cinderblock. :D Fun! (Also, her fabric swatches are SO FREAKING COOL.)
And lastly, although there’s no redesign, DO remember to check out PurpleTopHat - art of Celine Chapus:
Purple Top Hat: The Art of Celine Chapus
All done pimping now. ^_^
Originally published at Door to River. You can comment here or there.
Two weeks ago:
Phone: Hello, this is James from Hypersonic. We’ve tested your computer, and it’s just fine, so we’re sending it back!
Me: Like hell you are. That thing melted two power cords in two different states. There’s something wrong with it.
Phone: We’ve had it running all day and there’s nothing -
Me: You keep looking.
Today…
Phone: Hello, this is James from Hypersonic, and… haha… we’ve replaced your motherboard.
Me: Oh, GOOD! That’s such a relief. How did you find out what was wrong?
Phone: Well… actually, it happened after I got off the phone with you last time. We just went about our business, and two hours later, I was like, ‘Uh, Dave… do you smell burning plastic?’ Because your laptop had eaten through the power cord.
Me: ^_^
Phone: So we’ve replaced it, and provided you with a new power cord. It should be shipping soon.
Me: ^___________________^ Thank you!
Originally published at Door to River. You can comment here or there.
David Eddings, one of the first ever SF/F writers on the NYT bestseller lists, has died.
http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_
Originally published at Door to River. You can comment here or there.
I took my poor husband to the doctor today at 4:45. Bronchitis: the gift that keeps on giving! We now have matching antibiotics and inhalers; baby, we are stylin’.
In happier news, there is a BOOK GIVEAWAY!!! Fantastic literary agent Jennifer Jackson (With such amazing clients as Jim Butcher and Elizabeth Bear) is celebrating sixteen years of being a fantastic agent. Check it out here.
More from Carrie Jones:
Win Something: Make up a Story or blurb or dialogue or anything
So I’ve decided to start this new feature on my blog.
Hopefully, every Monday I’ll post a picture that I’ve taken and you can (if you want to potentially win something) write a story or blurb or dialogue or poem or whatever about the image. Then there will be a random winner on Friday and I will remember to actually POST who the winner is because I have issues remembering that.
The hope is that this will jumpstart creativity for everybody (not just writers). Think of it as an improv exercise or just think of it as your kind duty to amuse me, Carrie. I really need happy amusement.
Today’s photo involves lobster bibs. Go have some fun!
Jay Lake has some very cool photos of abandoned railway equipment. Seriously, nifty stuff.
Also, Carrie Ryan has a book rec for something I think I may pick up called Dull Boy. Go check her review and see if you feel the same.
Lastly, I’ve hit a big curve in the book. I think this chapter needs to change - a lot - and I’m hesitant about doing it, because it’ll rip a good portion of stuff out of the plot. Then again, that’s the whole purpose of this rewrite; I need to end the book at a different place completely.
P. S. Regarding yesterday’s post, Steven - who likes being nekked - is a shapeshifter, and sometimes just doesn’t see the point of clothing. He means well.
Originally published at Door to River. You can comment here or there.
Me: *typetype* 131 words… hmmm. OOH! *typety typety* YES!
Me: bahaha! Nekked Steven.
Celine: Eee?
Celine: Heeheee
Me: ^_____^
Me: Apparently, Nekked Steven is the key to everything.
Celine: I agree with this.
That is all.
Originally published at Door to River. You can comment here or there.
Wow, what an adventure. List time!
1. My beloved Duane has managed to procure an old little laptop for me, so I can at least write. I’m beyond thrilled with this.
2. Still no word from Hypersonic. Guess they haven’t figured out what did this yet (photo pic). Mind you, that’s the second power cord the laptop melted in two days. In two different states. Different locations, different everything - same result. Gee, think the problem might be with the computer?
3. Dad came to visit, which was all kinds of interesting. HE LIKED MY COOKING. ^___^ Which reminds me, I may start posting some recipes at some point.
4. I’m sick, which wouldn’t be a big deal except that it triggered the asthma again. Asthmatic bronchitis = antibiotics and albuterol. W00t!
5. Writing. Has been. SO GOOD. I don’t know what happened; it’s like a switch flipped. You can check out some of the results here.
6. Duane has a Jeep! Second car is a fantaaaastic thing. Makes life a whole lot easier.
7. His license plate, btw, is AIXPERT. AIX… expert. Yep, I married a geek.
And in conclusion… have some aerial photos I took when I visited my parents. ^_^
the best one –> 
I love my camera.
Originally published at Door to River. You can comment here or there.
computer. dead. melted power cord. no more writing for me today.
Originally published at Door to River. You can comment here or there.
This. Is. SO COOL. Celine’s art has been on television!
There’s this gritty show called Southland that attempts to present the reality of being a cop in Los Angeles. Well, they happened to film in one of the stores owned by someone who decorates with Celine’s art.
Screenshots! http://purpletophat.livejournal.com/1339
You know you’re doing something right when your art is considered appropriate backdrop for a police interview with a beaten-up tranvestite - and at the same time, “safe” enough that the censors won’t pull the scene. :D
<pimp>Thanks for the heads-up, Ojouchan! I know someday, we’ll spot your work on tv, too! </pimp>
Originally published at Door to River. You can comment here or there.
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doortoriver- Ruthanne Reid
- Door to River
